B10 ADs, coaches worry about easing recruit rules

Meyer said the people who came up with the idea to deregulate recruiting probably had never gone through the recruiting process as an athlete or coach.

"I'm not a big fan of deregulation," Meyer said. "I'm a big fan of firm, harsh penalties for people who break rules, not saying, `Just go - we can't follow all this stuff, so have at it.' I don't agree with that at all."

Pelini said the NCAA rules makers need to meet with football coaches and administrators to develop a good understanding of the challenges in recruiting. Pelini said the easing of the rules will cause recruited athletes to spend less time concentrating on their schoolwork and developing as an athlete and person.

"The more time a kid is spending on the phone texting and on the telephone and doing all the other things that are taking away from that is doing the kids ... a disservice."

Pelini said he would grudgingly change the way Nebraska recruits if the rule changes are implemented July 1.

"You're going to have to change some things in your staff and how you go about things to give yourself the best opportunity to keep up with the Joneses," Pelini said. "Believe me, we'll do what's necessary to put together the best classes we possibly can."